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The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Welcome the newest addition to John Cech’s widely-praised Classic Fairy Tale Collection. Every day, twelve princesses mysteriously wear out twelve new pairs of shoes?and neither the king, nor a series of hopeful suitors, can figure out how. Then a simple soldier, with a little magic on his side, gives it a try. Will he succeed where others have failed? Lucy Corvino’s illustrations capture the princesses’ graceful dancing world.
28 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 28, 2013
A very gentle and pleasant version of the fairy tale, with all all elements of threat, suspense, and danger removed. There is no punishment for failing to discover the princesses' secret; they aren't suffering in any way or even enchanted. The king just wants to know what's going on with his daughters, and they won't tell him because... uh... Okay, this story is pretty implausible in its original form, but the watered-down form is even more so.
Even the illustrations are subdued and, well, nice. If you're someone who often feels that fairy tales are too stimulating for your precious tot, this is the version for you.
Even the illustrations are subdued and, well, nice. If you're someone who often feels that fairy tales are too stimulating for your precious tot, this is the version for you.
June 13, 2019
The Twelve Dancing Princesses is one of those fairy-tales that somehow failed to make an impression upon me as a child, although I read the complete Brothers Grimm when I was young, and must have encountered it at some point. However that may be, I have no childhood memory of it, and first "discovered" it as an adult. Since then, I seem to be forever stumbling upon some new (or new to me) version of it. Marianna Mayer's retelling, accompanied by Kinuko Craft's fabulous artwork, is undoubtedly the finest of these, although I also have an appreciation for the versions done by Ruth Sanderson, Jane Ray, Dorothee Duntze, and the brilliant Laszlo Gal.
This new retelling, from the pen of John Cech, a professor of English and Children's Literature at the University of Florida in Gainesville, is accompanied by the illustrations of Lucy Corvino. I found the narrative engaging, although I did wonder a bit at Cech's decision to attribute the princesses' nighttime activities to their father's grief-inspired aversion to dancing, rather than to an enchantment. But I appreciated his inclusion of a detailed analysis of the folk motifs to be found in this tale - something not always seen in children's books of this kind. I thought that Corvino's illustrations sometimes had a blurry, indistinct quality, although a few of her panels - particularly those featuring the eldest princess - had a sharp, fey quality which was very appealing. All in all, a worthy contribution to the growing body of books devoted to this enchanting tale.
This new retelling, from the pen of John Cech, a professor of English and Children's Literature at the University of Florida in Gainesville, is accompanied by the illustrations of Lucy Corvino. I found the narrative engaging, although I did wonder a bit at Cech's decision to attribute the princesses' nighttime activities to their father's grief-inspired aversion to dancing, rather than to an enchantment. But I appreciated his inclusion of a detailed analysis of the folk motifs to be found in this tale - something not always seen in children's books of this kind. I thought that Corvino's illustrations sometimes had a blurry, indistinct quality, although a few of her panels - particularly those featuring the eldest princess - had a sharp, fey quality which was very appealing. All in all, a worthy contribution to the growing body of books devoted to this enchanting tale.
June 4, 2025
This rating is for the edition retold by John Cech and illustrated by Lucy Corvino.
May 15, 2011
We've read a few different versions of this story, one by Rachel Isadora and one by Marianna Mayer and Kinuko Y. Craft (our favorite so far.) This wasn't our favorite version, but it was a good one and the story was complete, but not too long. The illustrations were interesting, with an Elizabethan flair to the princesses and their dresses. Overall, a fun story to read aloud.
February 23, 2011
This is a nice retelling of the classic story, but the author changes the story slightly from the traditional Grimm telling (no mention of the fate of the princes from the magical ball). I didn't think the illustrations were anything insanely special, but they were wistful, pretty, and romantic. The source note at the back of the book is very good, and puts the folktale in context mythology and other variants.
February 7, 2011
Recommended Ages: grades 1-4
Every day, twelve princesses mysteriously wear out twelve new pairs of shoes—and neither the king, nor a series of hopeful suitors, can figure out how. Then a simple soldier, with a little magic on his side, gives it a try. Will he succeed where others have failed? Lucy Corvino’s illustrations capture the princesses’ graceful dancing world.
Every day, twelve princesses mysteriously wear out twelve new pairs of shoes—and neither the king, nor a series of hopeful suitors, can figure out how. Then a simple soldier, with a little magic on his side, gives it a try. Will he succeed where others have failed? Lucy Corvino’s illustrations capture the princesses’ graceful dancing world.
August 11, 2011
Another fairy tale recommendation which was beautifully illustrated and reminded me of a book that Levar Burton might read to me on Reading Rainbow. I also had never heard of this tale and it was enjoyable. I like that the male hero in the tale was clever and not a hyper-sexualized predator. Also, the cloak of invisibility be all over the place!
July 1, 2016
I absolutely love the way the princesses were illustrated, especially their clothes—just wish they could have been shown with actual human-shaped torsos, instead of waists about an inch wide.
December 17, 2017
Nice illustrated light retelling of the tale.
October 9, 2018
Genre: Fantasy/Fiction/Traditional Literature/Picture Book
Copyright Date: 2009
A nice story about the twelve dancing princesses, their father, and a soldier. Good for grades 1-5. Can be used when talking about traditional literature or fairytales.
Copyright Date: 2009
A nice story about the twelve dancing princesses, their father, and a soldier. Good for grades 1-5. Can be used when talking about traditional literature or fairytales.
April 16, 2020
Iris wants to say that she loved this and it was a very good story. Her favorite part is when the oldest sister was dancing with the soldier. Iris is six years old.
May 1, 2024
I adore the illustrations, but the story has always felt a bit nonsensical to me.
August 5, 2014
A witty and imaginative re-telling of a classic tale. I honestly was hoping for a different ending. That, the Soldier would marry the Youngest Daughter who was the smartest and most observant of all the sisters in the story, and to me the most beautiful.
I loved the use of the Soldiers' genuine kindness and courtesy- which won him the favor of an Enchantress who have him the knowledge of the King's Daughters and their Mystery of daily worn out shoes. And also equipped him with an Enchanted Invisibility Cloak. The way the Prince takes home proof of his having been to the magical Dances three nights in a row, was fun too!
The story tells how courtesy and kindness can be repaid in kind, and how a Father loves all his daughters despite years of banning dancing, which the joy and love of dancing was in all of the Princesses, from their lovely Mother.
I loved the use of the Soldiers' genuine kindness and courtesy- which won him the favor of an Enchantress who have him the knowledge of the King's Daughters and their Mystery of daily worn out shoes. And also equipped him with an Enchanted Invisibility Cloak. The way the Prince takes home proof of his having been to the magical Dances three nights in a row, was fun too!
The story tells how courtesy and kindness can be repaid in kind, and how a Father loves all his daughters despite years of banning dancing, which the joy and love of dancing was in all of the Princesses, from their lovely Mother.
Read
April 1, 2016The Twelve Dancing Princesses is such a beautiful book about twelve sisters who are known for ruining their shoes every night. The king of the princesses hired a soldier to figure out what they are doing every night to cause the wear and tear of their shoes. The adventures that the soldier goes through is very captivating and in order to see what the princesses do every night, you'll just have to read this book.
I love this book!! The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and portray the story perfectly. The illustrations are also perfect in that they allow you to use your imagination. I love new fairy tales with adventure and love.
I will definitely have this book in my classroom. I believe that my students will love this story and really be captivated by the story.
I love this book!! The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and portray the story perfectly. The illustrations are also perfect in that they allow you to use your imagination. I love new fairy tales with adventure and love.
I will definitely have this book in my classroom. I believe that my students will love this story and really be captivated by the story.
Read
December 6, 2014This is a story about twelve princesses who are locked in their rooms every night by their father, the king. When the princesses wake up in the morning their shoes are full of holes. Where did they go all night? How did their shoes get all the holes? Princes have come far and wide to figure out the mystery of these 12 princesses. Now a solider has come to solve the mystery. Will he be able to though?
I would use this book in my classroom to teach traditional literature. I would also use it because it is a Brothers Grimm fairytale that has been adapted several times. I would also use it to teach students how to use predictions to solve a mystery in different story genres.
I would use this book in my classroom to teach traditional literature. I would also use it because it is a Brothers Grimm fairytale that has been adapted several times. I would also use it to teach students how to use predictions to solve a mystery in different story genres.
November 15, 2016
Did not think I was going to like this book because I didn't like the changes John Cech made in Rumpelstilskin but he came through. One of my favorite illustrated versions of this story. Right up there with Ruth Sanderson and Marianna Mayer. The story was typical but the explanation of the Fairy Tale's history was fascinating. I like the bit about descending into the underworld. I had never thought about that aspect of this story before.
January 14, 2017
Phenomenal illustrations with a great blend of familiar design and fantastic, ethereal qualities.
At the end of the book there is an "About the Story" section which goes over the origin of the story and similarities to other myths and tales and legends.
I've been looking for a beautiful telling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses to purchase for my personal library for a while and this is certainly a strong contender.
At the end of the book there is an "About the Story" section which goes over the origin of the story and similarities to other myths and tales and legends.
I've been looking for a beautiful telling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses to purchase for my personal library for a while and this is certainly a strong contender.
May 8, 2017
I love the art, but it wasted the opportunity of developing a relationship between the soldier and the princess he would marry. It also could have given the princesses some distinctive personalities. I'm not asking for depth, but it's not much of a retelling if all they do is take away the decapitations and add a dead mother.
May 1, 2009
The illustrations by Lucy Corvino are lovely!
December 18, 2012
I loved the style of the illustrations; I just wish there had been more of them to pore over. As for Cech's retelling, it incorporates everything it should, but doesn't really stand out.
August 17, 2016
Love this fairy tale! Although I remember there being a more sinister ending...that might have been edited for the picture book version.
February 3, 2016
A little more "grown up" than the version by Barrager, but still quite fun.
March 29, 2019
a little long
not a bad retelling
not a bad retelling
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews